There's something about the Moon that makes people crazy. No, let me rephrase that: There's something about the Moon that makes people believe dumb stuff.
For instance, have you received an e-mail yet saying that during the opposition of Mars in December — during which the Red Planet will be closer to Earth than at other times — its disk will look as big as the Full Moon? No? You will.
In the November 2008 Astro News section, we report on a somewhat loony proposal by police in Brighton, England, to add extra officers during the summer Full Moon to coincide with the alleged upturn in violent criminal activity on such nights.
Now, some great news: Although you may have an irresistible urge to loot and pillage on Full Moon evenings, at least you don't have to worry about dropping a crate of machine parts on your foot.
Yesterday, the Associated Press reported on an analysis of 500,000 industrial accidents in Austria between 2000 and 2004. It concluded, contrary to popular belief, that you are not more likely to experience mishaps during the Full Moon.
The AP article traces the idea as far back as Pliny the Elder, the Roman author and naturalist who asserted, "The Moon produces drowsiness and stupor in those who sleep outside beneath her beams." Perhaps it was selenological stupor that led Pliny to stray too close to erupting Vesuvius Volcano in 79 A.D., where he bit the dust from inhaling poisonous gases.
So, it's Full Moon. Eat a rare hamburger. Drag race without a seat belt. Open that martini bar in Baghdad. The man in the Moon is watching over you.